THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) AND THE ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION (ISSA) JOIN FORCES FOR CLEAN SPORT AT THE 2025 ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES

The International Testing Agency (ITA) and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) have entered into an agreement for the delivery of an independent anti-doping program for the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, which will take place from 7 to 21 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Hosted by the ISSA, the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games will mark the sixth edition of the event. Athletes from the 57 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will compete across 21 sports and 2 para sports.

Through this collaboration, ISSA entrusts the ITA with a comprehensive set of clean sport activities for the Games, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to fair play, athlete protection and the integrity of sport. The program will be led expertly and independently, drawing on the ITA’s extensive experience in implementing anti-doping programs for Major Events worldwide.

The ITA will independently manage all areas of anti-doping operations for the Games, including risk assessment and the creation of a tailored test distribution plan, in-competition and out-of-competition testing, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, intelligence and investigations, results management and long-term sample storage. The partnership also includes on-site education activities for athletes and their support personnel, as well as the use of the ITA’s proactive and confidential reporting platform, REVEAL, for sharing information related to potential anti-doping rule violations.

Benjamin Cohen, ITA Director General, welcomed the partnership: “We are proud to support ISSA in its commitment to integrity in sport and look forward to a great celebration of sport and fair play in a few days in Riyadh. The ITA will apply the same standards of independence, professionalism and transparency that guide all of our collaborations with major event organisers. Together, we aim to ensure that athletes can compete with confidence in a clean environment.”

Nasser Majali, Secretary General of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association, stated:

“This partnership with the International Testing Agency reflects ISSA’s strong commitment to protecting athletes and upholding the integrity of competition. We believe that clean sport is the true foundation of excellence and mutual respect among athletes, and we are working closely with the ITA to ensure a fair and transparent competitive environment that reflects our shared values.”

The collaboration between ISSA and the ITA reflects a shared vision of safeguarding athletes and promoting trust in sport through independent oversight.

About the ITA

The International Testing Agency (ITA) is an international organisation constituted as a not-for-profit foundation, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Its mission is to manage anti-doping programs, independent from sporting or political powers, for International Federations (IFs), Major Event Organisers (MEOs) and all other anti-doping organisations requesting support.